Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is health insurance mandatory?

Undergraduates, certificate and continuing education students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours

Graduate students taking 9 or more credit hours

Graduate students with "Grad 903" status

All international students (students studying at UVM on a J-1 or F-1 visa)

Medical students

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2. Am I required to purchase the University of Vermont Student Insurance?

No. Students are not required to purchase the University of Vermont Insurance if they have comparable coverage under another insurance carrier.
Choosing between the UVM Student Health Insurance Policy (UVM SHIP) and
comparable coverage is an individual decision and UVM cannot help you
make this decision. We can only give you information.

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3. Do I need to notify UVM if I decline or accept the UVM Student Insurance?

Yes. Each year, regardless of your decision to accept or decline the UVM Student Insurance, you must complete the online insurance
decision/waiver. This is how we ensure you are properly covered. Again, this process must be completed EVERY YEAR.

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4.
If I do not accept the Student Health Insurance (SHIP), can I still be
seen at the UVM Center for Health and Wellbeing? Is there a charge? Can
I use my private health insurance?

Yes, you can be seen at the CHWB if you have paid the Student Health Fee
for the current term (for many students this is part of the
Comprehensive Fee). Most basic CHWB services are covered by the Health
Fee. However, services like laboratory work, immunizations, psychiatry
visits, prescriptions, X-rays, and orthopedic supplies are not covered
by the Health Fee. So, if you do not have coverage from UVM SHIP, you
can expect a charge if these services are needed. If this is the case,
you can either pay us at the time of service or we can apply the charge
to your UVM Student Account. You can then request reimbursement from
your insurance company. We cannot accept insurance copays, nor can we
bill your insurance company for any chargeable services.

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5. Do I have to make an insurance decision each year, even though I have already given you the information?

Yes. The decision has to be made each year.

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6. How are students notified of the mandatory health insurance requirement?

Students are notified by mail or e-mail each year about this
requirement. This is usually done after the student has registered for
courses. If you do not use your UVM email account, please forward your UVM email to your preferred email account.

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7. Can I fill out the Waiver/Decision Form on paper?

8. What happens if I do not fill out the Waiver/Decision Form?

Students who do not complete an online insurance decision/waiver
by the deadline will be billed, the insurance premium will be added to
their UVM student account, and a hold will be placed on their student
account. Once a hold is placed on a student's account, s/he will not be
able to register or make registration changes. The hold can be removed
until the deadline stated below (see question 9).

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9. If a hold is placed on my student account, is there a way that I can get it off?

Yes, by going to the insurance
decision/waiver website and entering your current insurance information into the insurance
decision/waiver form. The deadlines for taking this action: September 15th for the Fall semester and February 15th for the Spring semester.

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10. If a hold was placed on my account, do I need to notify anyone when I have completed the form?

No, the hold and charges will either be added or taken off
automatically, depending on your insurance decision. This can be done
until the above deadlines (see question 9).

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11. If I make an error, can I change it?

Yes, by going to the insurance
decision/waiver
form, and changing the information that is there. This can be done
until the deadlines. The charges will come off or the premium will be
added to your student account depending on the decision.

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12. Can international students waive the UVM Student Insurance (UVM SHIP)?

No. International students who want to talk about other coverage can call the insurance office at (802) 656-0602.

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13. What happens if I withdraw from school?

Students who have paid for the UVM SHIP and who withdraw from school
or fall below 6 credits may keep the insurance policy for the remainder
of that semester, but they are no longer eligible for CHWB services,
so they must seek care elsewhere. There is one exception to this rule:
if the student is currently under care by a provider or counselor at
the CHWB, they may be seen for a brief period of time (not to exceed
sixty days) to allow for an orderly transition of their care to an
outside provider. These arrangements must be discussed with the CHWB
Medical Director or the Director of Counseling and Psychiatry Services,
as appropriate, and authorized by the Director of the Center for Health
& Wellbeing.

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14. Can I purchase Student Insurance for Fall semester only?

If you are graduating in December and wish to purchase UVM Insurance for the Fall
semester only, you can do so by going to the insurance decision/waiver and checking the appropriate box for "Fall-only".

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15. How will I be billed for the UVM SHIP insurance?

In two separate charges: The first half of the premium payment will
be billed to your UVM Student Account in July, August or September,
depending on when you enroll in the insurance. The other half will be
billed in December for the Spring semester.

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16. Can a spouse/civil union or domestic partner, or a minor dependent purchase the UVM student Insurance?

Yes, but you are responsible for enrollment. Contact University Health Plans
(our plan provider) directly for more information or to enroll. Their
phone number is (800) 437-6448. You can also enroll on their web site. DEADLINE: enrollment must be made by September 15th for Fall semester and February 15th for Spring semester.

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17. What if I do not have access to a computer?

Computers are available at several locations on campus, including
the library, outside of Student Financial Services in the Waterman
Building or in the CHWB Student Health Clinic at 425 Pearl Street,
Ground Floor.